Johnny's Story

         Many years ago there was a little boy named Johnny who had a brave and fearless daddy. One day duty called “Daddy” and he needed to go and fight for freedom. The little boy was very sad because he loved his daddy very much and would miss him.

         ”Please come home soon Daddy”, pleaded Johnny.

         “I will”, Daddy said as he squatted down to hug Johnny tight and to place a kiss on his forehead. Slowly “Daddy” got up and turned to his wife, giving her a long hug and kiss. Reaching down to pick up his duffle bag he turned and strolled to the waiting car. Waving he drove away.

         Little Johnny waited for his Daddy to come home. Everyday he would go to the front window and stare down the road his daddy had taken...and everyday he wished and he prayed for his daddy to drive down that street. He prayed and prayed and prayed, but still Daddy did not come.

         It was many months later that a car slowly drove down the road heading for Johnny's house. Johnny saw it coming and with a happy yell and a big smile he cried, “Mommy, Mommy--Daddy’s home!” But it wasn’t Daddy who was in the car. It was Lt. Winston. He had come to let them know that Daddy wouldn’t be coming home. Daddy was gone. Johnny wouldn’t believe it. He ran through the house screaming, “NO! NO! I prayed and prayed…God always answers my prayers! He wouldn't forget to answer this one! God loves me and He loves my dad...He'll make sure Daddy comes home.” Johnny ran down the steps and into the field, but no matter how fast he ran and no matter how much he wished it wasn’t so, his dad was never coming back.

         As the years passed, Johnny became quite bitter when he thought of God. He stopped praying. He stopped going to church. He even stopped wishing. Inside, he felt kind of dead.

         One day Johnny's world became so much brighter. He met a lovely young girl named Annie. Annie was about as sweet as could be. Johnny fell madly in love with her and eventually they were married. Life was good and after a couple of years they were blessed with a little girl. Johnny felt as though his world was complete…nothing could make it any better.

         Life was indeed good to Johnny. He had a wife and daughter he loved so very much. A job that made him happy to go to work. He even had a funny looking dog that made him laugh whenever he wanted to go for a walk. Yes, for ten whole years life was very good for Johnny. Then…

         Annie got sick. She got very sick. She got so bad that she soon needed to be hospitalized. The doctor told Johnny that a miracle was needed—for without it Annie wouldn’t survive the night.

         Johnny was heartbroken. He was frustrated. He was angry. He was so mad at God that he could hardly breathe. “I will NOT pray!” He whispered ferociously to himself. “I will NOT! God doesn’t listen to me anyway.” He stomped and fussed and grumbled…but still he did not pray.

         Annie got worse.

         The doctor came to examine her and with a sigh and a shake of his head, he told Johnny to prepare himself…Annie only had hours to live…there was nothing he could do.

         Johnny’s heart broke and as the doctor left the room he sat beside Annie…holding her hand for all it was worth.

         “Please don’t go Annie…fight! We need you so much…I need you so much…” Tears rolled down his cheeks as he watched his beloved. Her shallow breathing could barely be felt as he stroked her face. Johnny felt so helpless and lost. He didn’t know what to do. What would he do without his beloved Annie?

         Laying his head on the bed beside Annie, Johnny closed his eyes. Almost withoug thinking he uttered the words he never thought he would say again… “Dear Heavenly Father, please God, don’t take Annie away from me.” Opening his eyes he looked at Annie. Looked at her pale skin and still body. Once again he lay his head down and placing his cheek beside Annie’s arm. Closing his eyes he drifted to an exhausted sleep.

         “Johnny.”

         “Johnny.”

         From far away, Johnny heard the faint whisper of his name. Slowly he opened his eyes. Eyes that were still tired and sore from all the tears.

         “Johnny.”

         Turning his head slowly, Johnny looked toward the voice. He blinked. Then he blinked again. He could not believe his eyes. Annie was awake! And she was smiling at him. He quickly popped up and shouted, “You’re awake!”

         Annie smiled up at her husband as she reached for his hand. “I love you, Johnny.”

         Johnny was so excited. He started yelling for the doctor to come see that Annie was awake. While checking her the doctor couldn’t believe what he was seeing. “It’s a miracle”, he said.

         When Johnny heard those words he stopped in his tracks. Yes, God had blessed him with a miracle. Annie was back. Johnny sat down and thought about his daddy. He thought about how he had felt that God was no longer answering his prayers...that God didn't care about him anymore. Now, after witnessing the wonderful blessing he had been given, he began to understand…God answers ALL prayers. Sometimes He says “No”. Sometimes He says “Wait”. And sometimes He says “Yes”.

         Johnny looked over at Annie and smiled. Today he received two precious gifts from God. The first one was great. He had his beautiful—soon to be completely healed wife back. But the greater gift was the healing he received in his own heart. He had his faith back. This time he knew his faith would stay.